The Pearls of Vologne

“Les Perles de Vologne” is a wonderful site on the shaded bank of the Vologne.
You will pass on Pont des Fées and the Marie-Louise islands, before climbing along the torrent in the Roitelets Gorge, to reach the Roche des Bruyères from where you can admire the town of Gerardmer and its lake. Then, at the Gilet Fountain, located in the forest, you can refresh your hands.
Take a break at the Belbriette Pond before descending to Longemer Lake and the Saint Florent chapel.

Description

Start at the Saut des Cuves car park at Xonrupt-Longemer.

Cross the bridge over the Vologne then turn left and go down towards the Pont des Fées following the red circles of the path marked by the Club Vosgien. Continue to the Marie-Louise islands, about 500 m after (1), take a small path to the right, which goes along a stream. This is the Roitelets Gorge.
Then go behind the Vologne Farm and get to the GR533 marked with a green rectangle (2). Leave the little road at a hairpin bend (3), turn left onto the D8, which you follow for 100 m to the left, before turning into a path on the right (4).
Continue straight at each intersection to reach the Roche des Bruyères. Enjoy the view of Gerardmer Lake. The path joins a track (6). Turn right and follow the track to an intersection (7), where you must turn right to reach the Gilet Fountain.

From there, turn right and then immediately left to join the forest road (8) The trail is marked with a green and white rectangle then green crosses. Turn left onto this RF and follow it as far as the D23 (9). Walk along the road for 400 m and at Surceneux Pass (10), turn right. At the T-junction, 200 m further on, turn left onto Chemin Gaspard, follow it up to the Col du Port des Planches (11). Then leave Chemin Gaspard to take a path in front, quickly reaching Chemin de la Casuette (12). Turn right, then left at the next intersection (13) to reach the Belbriette Pond.
Retrace your steps to the WP13 and turn left.
Continue as far as a fork (14). Take the rightmost path to reach the D417 (15).

Cross it, then head to Longemer Lake and the Saint Florent Chapel, taking a small road along the D417. After the chapel, reach the D67A and turn right. Continue towards Xonrupt. At the fork (16), turn left to get to the intersection after the church (17). Turn right, then left at the first street. Go past the sawmill and at the second intersection (18), take the path on the right which takes you back to the Saut des Cuves car park.

Nice walk through some nice wood land. We may or amy not have remaining on the correct track during the first hour up to the pass, but it was OK. Not many people around - even on a Saturday. Worth the drive from Colmar

Other walks in the area

At the start of Lake Lispach, this hike will take you through a variety of settings. Peat bogs bordering Lake Lispach where you will see the Vosges’ forests and even some of the Rouge Feigne’s stubble more than 1,100 m above sea level. The return on the mountainside will eventually convince you that the Vosges are not just for cows...

Observe the chamois in the Wormspel, soak your feet in the clear waters of lake Schiessrothried and appreciate the beauty of the Frankenthal-Missheimle nature reserve. And, if possible, stop at a farm-guesthouse for an excellent day!

As a variation of this hike, go via the Col de Falimont, where you can find practical information.

Start and finish at the Col de Bramont.
This route will let you discover the Lac des Corbeaux from the Belvédère de la Roche du Lac 200m above it.
The view is stunning and its the perfect place for a snack!
A trail takes you down to the lake. It doesn't cross the embankment, but takes you round the lake on a pleasant, shady trail.
Return to the Col de Bramont via the Étang de Sèchemer.
A very beautiful circuit that's not too difficult, although very steep.

A beautiful hike that takes you up to the “Gazons”, the famous pastures of the Hautes Vosges, and along the steep slopes overlooking the magnificent cirques where the lakes of Lac Vert and Lac du Forlet lie. All of this is situated at an altitude and in landscapes that are reminiscent of the Alps.